Woodbridge junior aims to save lives, one post at a time

Chase Marvil is honored at the University of Delaware after receiving an award for his community service and “The Inspiring Project.” (Submitted)

GREENWOOD — Everyone should have some of what Chase Marvil has.

He possesses a passion for boosting people’s spirits, highlighted by a major attempt to spread positivity and eliminate suicidal thoughts and actions from young and old alike.

The 17-year-old Woodbridge High junior said he’s inspired more than 17,000 people through online contacts in a campaign that began on Instagram and Twitter, and found itself onto his own school’s wall.

Enter the new school in Greenwood, and there’s no missing a collage of approximately 800 (and rising) index cards with inspirational words and photos on a wall from those who walk the hallways.

“The wall project covers a whole broad spectrum, and the big idea is to eliminate suicide and bullying habits among people and make them feel better about themselves,” he said.

And what has the student body’s response been so far?

“They’re happy and appreciative of my doing it,” he said.

School principal Robert Adams described Chase as a “great kid” and said “we’re happy to support him in the great things he does.”

Adams said the wall collage has a regular impact on Woodbridge students.

“We do have kids who look at it on the wall,” he said. “If they take a quick look at it and get that little positive plug for the rest of their day that’s fantastic.”

There’s an unsaid respect for the project based on it staying in tact for months now.

“It’s something that’s in a public space and no one has touched or disturbed it,” Mr. Adams said. “I’ve been in education (more than two decades) and know that’s not always the case with something that’s so in the middle of everything.”

Recently, Chase said he had more than 24,000 Instagram and 7,000 Twitter followers who share photos and letters of inspiration with him and everyone else who is involved.

Woodbridge High junior Chase Marvil is selling bracelets with the slogan “I WONT GIVE UP” as part of “#THE INSPIRING PROJECT” that benefits the Foundation for a Better Tomorrow nonprofit recognizing suicide and bullying prevention issues. (Submitted)

A venture into bracelet making with the slogan “I WONT GIVE UP” as part of “#THE INSPIRING PROJECT” has netted $100 donated to the Foundation for a Better Tomorrow nonprofit recognizing suicide and bullying prevention issues. The bracelet is worn by former University of Delaware and WNBA superstar Elena Delle Donne, he said.

“Life in general involves what you can do with what is thrown at you, take the good with the bad, face any obstacle and get through it,” said Chase, who credited his grandmom May for always believing in him.

Another driving force in his quest for reaching out goes, “You don’t have to be anyone in particular to create a huge impact on life.”

Chase plays first base for the school’s varsity baseball team, and is a member of the Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society.

“As a member of our varsity program he has been a student-athlete who has aspired to be great on and off the field.

“He has challenged himself physically, mentally and socially to ensure the rising standards of coaches and his peers.”

The attitude is infectious in the baseball diamond, his coach said.

“There is not one day where Chase isn’t working hard, pushing his teammates to be the best they can,” according to Mr. Ennis. “This young man will go on to be not only a great person, but an exceptional individual who many will be inspired by.

“I use Chase Marvil as example anytime I want a student to embody what being a great young mind is, and all the responsibilities it entails.”

Contact with Chase regarding “The Inspiring Project” can be made on Instagram (@theinspiringproject), Twitter (@ThInspiringProj), Vine (@CHASEANDREWZ), e-mail (chaseandrewz.business@gmail.com) and Facebook (The Inspiring Project). The hash tag #theinspiringproject can be used on any media.

Woodbridge High junior Chase Marvil looks at a collage of 800 index cards with inspiring words and phrases. (Submitted)

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